Posted on 07/21/2010 1:43:15 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Boeing Claims Secret Strike Weapon Effort
Jul 20, 2010
By Bill Sweetman
william_sweetman@aviationweek.com
Farnborough
Boeing is in production on at least one “proprietary” strike weapon system, claims Shelley Lavender, vice president and general manager of global strike systems. But Lavender refused July 20 at the Farnborough International Airshow to provide more information when pressed.
“I have nothing further for you on that,” the executive said.
More details were available on a new set of modifications to the company’s workhorse F-18 Super Hornet, described as “a roadmap for the international market” but designed to be retrofitted to any Block 2 aircraft. The most visible change is a stealth-configured weapon pod designed to accommodate a range of weapons, including four Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (Amraams), but other changes include conformal fuel tanks and more powerful engines.
General Electric demonstrated an improved F414 engine core some years ago, and the conformal tanks are expected to boost range by 10 percent. Other changes include a chin-mounted internal infrared search-and-track system and an all-aspect missile and laser warning system.
Boeing’s been quietly talking about a “beyond Block 2” Super Hornet configuration since around 2005, and its low observable team has been working on ways to reduce the signatures of conventional aircraft. The latest disclosure, however, may indicate that slippage in the F-35 program has encouraged Boeing to be more aggressive, as expected.
Secret — or “proprietary” — programs were included on a chart presented to reporters here, colored to indicate that they were in production. The secret program or programs are unidentified, but could well have emerged from Boeing’s history of ultra-stealthy tailless configurations, including the Bird of Prey demonstrator unveiled in 2002.
That project was aimed at combining reduced radar cross section with visual signature reduction, to achieve 24-hour stealth.
India ....have a look ....
Dassault claims to be working on similar concepts for the Rafale.
Do you have a link? Thanks. I am truly curious about who will win India. Of the 6 contenders, all are worthy - 4 are really competitive. Any from the Rafale, Superbug, Gripen NG and Typhoon could fit in quite well, depending on whether India opts for superhigh-high-high (PakFa-30MKI-Rafale or Typhoon or Superbug) or superhigh-hi-lo (PakFa-30MKI-GripenNG). There are some transfer of technology aspects, as well as a thin spectre of politics. Also, the purchase primarily has China in mind - India already has a qualitative and quantitative advantage over Pakistan’s mishmash of Chinese and American airframes. It will be quite interesting who wins of the four (next to no chance of the so called SuperViper or SuperFulcrum winning).
Here’s something along the lines what we were discussing-it’s only at a more conceptual stage than anything the Super Hornet team is planning-
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?137433-Rafale-News/page79
About the MRCA, it appears that the Mig-35 will kiss goodbye
http://www.zeenews.com/news642670.html
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